Nadal satisfied: "Preparation is going pretty well"
The recent defeats have not shaken the Mallorcan's confidence: Rafael Nadal is optimistic about the Australian Open.
by Daniel Mueksch
last edit: Jan 10, 2023, 09:09 pm
"It's true that I haven't been able to play a lot of tennis in recent months and I lost two matches in Sydney at the beginning of the season, but to be honest I'm not dissatisfied with the preparation," said the Spaniard just under a week before the start of the first According to the Australian newspaper "The Age", the Grand Slam tournament of the season in Melbourne. And Nadal continues: "I have to win matches for sure. But the preparation is going pretty well. I train a lot and I think I'm in good shape."
The start of the year was anything but sportingly successful for the number two in the world rankings: Nadal had to accept two defeats: in the United Cup against the Australian Alex de Minaur and the British Cameron Norrie. Over the years, these two defeats are part of a series that is unfamiliar to Nadal: since his knockout round at the US Open in early September 2022, he has only won one match.
Due to Carlos Alcaraz's injury-related cancellation, Nadal is the top seeded player in the men's tableau. However, Novak Djokovic will definitely be the top favorite in the race. Nadal started the Australian Open last year with doubts due to his foot problems and a previous coronavirus infection and then impressively celebrated the title.